This is a guest recipe! . I love cooking from scratch when I can, but there are some days when quick and easy is a must. Zatarain's jambalaya mix is delicious right out of the box, and when it goes on sale I stock up for this quick and frugal meal. Pair it with a green salad for a perfect dinner! Sausage Jambalaya with Salad a simple, sem-homemade dinner that … [Read more...]
Chicken Gumbo with Iceberg Ranch Wedges
This dinner is inspired by a gumbo that my dad had for lunch when we were in Dallas last month. All I knew about gumbo was that people from LA made it. A lot. Call me "gumbo ignorant." I was. But no longer. Did a little research on Wiki...and learned quite a bit. Hop on over there and see how "gumbo savvy" you are! I digress. A simple soup. Err, gumbo! With a whole … [Read more...]
Chicken and Broccoli Stirfry
It's great to be home. And it's great to be back in the kitchen. The first half of the day, I wandered around the kitchen...feeling lost. Lost in my own kitchen! But once dinner time rolled around, I was fully re-acquainted and ready to cook! Chicken and Broccoli Stirfry Your family will love this simple skillet meal! 3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, … [Read more...]
Baked Chicken Marsala
So I'm still sorta doing the pantry challenge...using up what I find...and everything in this meal came from the pantry/freezer minus the broccoli! One of my dear friends moved to Alaska not long ago...and she left me with a few of her goodies from her pantry...including the Marsala cooking wine you see below!!! Not something I normally buy, but after this meal...I'd totally … [Read more...]
Rotel Beans and Rice
Impress. Impress. Is that what you think of when you think of a potluck dinner? That you have to impress everyone there with your creative meal or dish...made with the finest ingredients! Will they like it? Will everyone eat it? Will the dish be empty by the time the dinner is over? What if no one eats it and people figure out that it was me who made it? Been there. … [Read more...]
Ranchero Black and Pinto Beans
At this point, we're just throwing things together...a little of this from the freezer with a little of that from the pantry! But I must say...this is a WINNER!!! (You know it's a winner when you arrive at the dinner table half full because you've been sneaking bites from the skillet!) Video Disclaimers Please excuse the t-shirt and sweatpants (just keepin' it … [Read more...]
Cranberry Chicken and Rice
So this meal was pretty good. Came out a little on the bitter side, so I just sprinkled a little sugar over the cranberries on everyone's plate and we were all happy! So...you could add a little extra sweetener in before you bake it, or you could do as I did. It really was tasty...after it was properly sweetened. And boy am I glad that I froze some fresh produce from … [Read more...]
Honey Ginger Salmon
Several times in 2009, I found fresh Atlantic salmon on sale for $2.99/lb...regularly $7.99/lb! This great deal never appeared on the front page of the store circular...but was hidden on the inside pages! I asked for a pound. Brought it home. Cut it into 4 4 oz. portions. Added the marinade. And froze. Saturday night, it went straight from the freezer to the oven to … [Read more...]
Chicken Zucchini Stew on Rice
Tonight's dinner is straight out of the freezer! From the freezer: 2 cups of shredded chicken, 1 container of chopped up summer veggies, about 2 cups of homemade chicken stock, and blanched broccoli. Toss into pot. Stir occasionally. Eat! Chicken Zucchini Stew on Rice A great way to use up extra veggies and leftover chicken! 2 tsp 2 tsp olive oil1 … [Read more...]
Cheeseless Chicken Enchiladas
Cheeseless??? What? There's cheese in the picture! Right. Right. I topped the enchiladas that I served to the Hubs with some cheese. This is, of course, optional! The inside of the enchilada and the top does not NEED cheese. These were quite zesty, zippy and zanny without the cheese!! And for the record. I made these before baby was born. Most of what you … [Read more...]